Abhishek Banerjee, known widely for his impressive work both as an actor in the hugely successful film Stree 2 and a seasoned casting director, is also making headlines for his ethical practices at his casting agency, Casting Bay. The actor recently opened up in an interview with NDTV about the comprehensive measures and rules they have established to maintain a safe and professional environment for women in the workplace.
Banerjee, who has been a casting director for over 15 years, emphasized that one of the primary rules his company enforces is that no meetings are allowed to be conducted outside their office premises. This is in response to a prevalent culture in Bombay where professional discussions often took place in informal settings such as coffee shops and restaurants, which Banerjee critically views as unprofessional. He stressed, “The first thing we did was that we decided on a rule that we will not do any meetings or none of our employees are allowed to do any meetings outside our office. Because the problem which was really deep-seated was that there was a lot of coffee shop-meeting culture in Bombay. ‘Let’s meet at this coffee shop, meet at this restaurant’. We wanted to say ‘No, that’s not professional. We are not going to work in a coffee shop. You are not meeting to eat food or have coffee. You are meeting for work. So let’s keep it professional. You come to our office, whoever wants to meet, we will give you time. You come, speak to us, and then you go’.”
This rule is a cornerstone of the workplace safety guidelines at Casting Bay, but it is not the only measure in place. Banerjee further elaborated on another crucial policy regarding communication between male and female colleagues. Specifically, male employees are prohibited from sending messages to female actors after a certain time. He pointedly mentioned that strict actions are and will be taken against those who breach this rule, going as far as to terminate their employment. He articulated, “None of our employees are allowed to message female actors after a certain point.
. If you do that, strict actions will be taken which we have. We have fired employees who have messaged actresses at a certain hour which was probably objectionable. We created a system where women would feel safe.”
These rules have been instrumental in fostering an environment where women can feel secure and respected. Banerjee takes pride in the structure they have built, aimed at eliminating any potential for unprofessional behavior and ensuring that work interactions remain strictly business-related.
Parallelly, the buzz around Stree 2 continues as its audience shares mixed feedback. In a recent dialogue with Bollywood Hungama, filmmaker Amar Kaushik responded to the feedback concerning actress Shraddha Kapoor’s limited screen time in the movie. Some viewers felt her presence could have been more substantial. Kaushik explained, “Some people even complained that Shraddha Kapoor’s screen time is less. Lekin agar Shraddha zyada dikhti, toh jis tarah ki entry ki usne, uska impact nahin hota (But if Shraddha had been more visible, the kind of entry she made would not have had an impact).”
He further clarified that the screen time of all actors in Stree 2 was carefully aligned with the needs of the script. “We write what is required,” Kaushik emphasized, conveying that the narrative’s demands take precedence over ensuring equal screen time for actors. This approach, he insists, was not meant to undermine any actor’s contribution but to stay true to the story’s requirements. He also highlighted that there is no intention of sidelining any actor on account of screen time, ensuring that every role is justified by the script’s demands rather than preconceived notions about star presences.
Abhishek Banerjee, while riding high on the success of Stree 2, remains committed to his dual roles in the film industry. As an actor, he continues to deliver compelling performances, and as a casting director, he stays resolute in creating a safe and professional environment for all his colleagues at Casting Bay. His efforts underscore the importance of implementing rigorous standards and ensuring that the film production landscape is not only efficient but also ethically sound.
This interview sheds light on the importance of strict organizational rules that prioritize the safety and professionalism of female colleagues, setting a benchmark for the industry at large. Banerjee’s approach may well inspire other agencies to adopt similar measures, fostering a safer and more respectful working culture within the entertainment industry.
